William c



W. C. ADAMS.

FLUE CLOSURE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22', 1919.-

Patented July 20, 1920.

WILLIAM C. ADAMS, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

UNITED STATES FLUE-CLOSURE.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented July 20, 1920.

Application filed December 22, 1919. Serial No. 346,457.

. has for its object to provide a device of this character which cannot he accidentally disengaged from the flue opening, but is manually removable when necessary.

Another object is to provide a device of this character so constructed that it can be used for closing either the inner 0r outer end of the flue opening.

' With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the improved construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more particularly described, fully claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary and vertical section of a flue with the invention applied.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the closure in its flue closing position.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the closure with the plates in position to be inserted through the flue opening.

The invention consists of a closure comprising a pair of plates 5 and 6. One longitudinal marginal edge of one'plate isarranged to overlap the adjacent marginal edge of the other plate, the plates being connected in this position by means of a pin 7 which is passed through registering openings 7 in each of the overlapping marginal edges, the openings being positioned to one side of the longitudinal center of each plate. By this means, one plate can be swung over upon the other so as to permit the closure show two of these arms but do not wish to be limited to this number.

In use of the device, the plate 6 is swung on the plate 5 in lengthwise position therewith as shown in Fig. 3. The closure may then be conveniently passed through the flue opening into the flue and then positioned in a plane at right angles to the axis of the flue opening. The section 6 is then swung back to its former position into engagement with the lug 7. The free ends of the resilient retaining arms may then be engaged with the wall of the flue opening.

From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that this novel flue closure eliminates the danger of fire, as it prevents any matter from collecting in the flue opening. Furthermore, it renders the flue more efficient as the draft which formerly forced the old form of closure inwardly and caused the discharge of smoke and soot, will only force the closure firmly against the inner wall surrounding the inner opening of the flue.

In addition to this, no hinges or like weak connections are provided, but the plates are pivoted so that they brace each other to form a rigid plate or unit, and thereby resist any force that would tend to accidentally disengage them from the flue opening. At the same time when it is desired to use the flue opening, the closure can be manually removed with ease.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is z A closure for closing either end of a flue opening comprising a pair of rectangular plates, each plate having one of its marginal edges pivoted to the adjacent marginal edge of the other plate, a lug carried by one of said plates in spaced relation to the pivotal connection of said plate, and resilient elongated retaining arms connected to the plates in spaced relation to each other, the greater portion of said arms adapted to be engaged with the walls of the fine opening, said lug engaging the edge of the adjacent plate, whereby pivotal movement of the plates towardthe center of the flue opening is prevented when the plates are disposed over the end of the flue opening.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

WILLIAM C. ADAMS. 

